Canucks Defeat Rangers 4-1 at Vancouver, Home of the 2010 Winter Olympics

The New York Rangers lost to the Vancouver Canucks on the road 4-1 Monday night. The Blueshirts didn’t get many shots on goal in the 1st period or 3rd periods but charged the net in the 2nd and had 14 in the middle period. Ex-Ranger Mikael Samuelsson had a great game and scored the first goal for the Canucks at 18:43 in the 1st period. The Rangers have to defend better late in each period. They’ve given up a lot of late goals like this lately. Wade Redden could not clear the puck along the left boards in the Ranger defensive zone and lost the puck on a bad clearing pass. He would have been better keeping the puck and skating it out. Ryan Kesler took a shot from the top of the right face off circle, Henrik Lundqvist made the save but Samuelsson was there for the rebound and goal. The Rangers tied the game at 1-1 on a power play goal (double minor on Vancouver) scored by Christopher Higgins at 6:24 of the 3rd period. It was Higgie’s first goal of the season, first as a Ranger, and one he’s been looking for. He looked up almost to say “thank you” after the puck hit the back of the net. At 4:21 in the 3rd period it looked like Old Tyme Hockey from the 70s with about 20 guys on the ice pushing and shoving. Both teams were on line changes when words were exchanged and the fun ensued. Burrows and Bieska from Vancouver along with Dan Girardi and Dane Byers were handed 10 minute misconduct penalties. Ryan Kesler went to the penalty box for roughing during the melee and the Rangers went on the power play. They didn’t score there and the power play was 1 for 4 for the game. Henrik Lundqvist looked sharp all game and stopped 27 of 30 shots with 3 goals allowed. Two goals should not have happened if the Rangers’ defense hadn’t lapsed and allowed Canucks open space in front of Henrik. The Canucks’4th goal was into an empty net. Dane Byers showed some spunk and I’m glad the melee happened. Vancouver got cute with Gaborik on the line change and the team rallied around with a lot of Rangers getting involved. Gaborik couldn’t find open space to get quality shots and was blanketed all night. Backup goal Andrew Raycroft was excellent for Vancouver. The three stars of the game, all Canucks were Ryan Kesler, Mikael Samuelsson and Andrew Raycroft. Next stop for the Blueshirts is Edmonton where they’ll see their old coach Tom Renney behind the Edmonton bench tomorrow night.